2 men escape from Santa Rosa County Jail

Authorities said a "design flaw" in the construction of a Santa Rosa County Jail cell led to the escape of two inmates.

The Associated Press

MILTON, Fla. -- Authorities said a "design flaw" in the construction of a Santa Rosa County Jail cell led to the escape of two inmates.

Officials are searching for 43-year-old Ricky Dale Spears, 43 and 20-year-old David Chapell Dixon. The pair turned up missing during a head count on Saturday night.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff's deputies said the pair were able to access a 12-inch square opening in the cell that led to a small area housing water pipes. Then they reached the roof of the building and dropped to the ground outside.

Spears is charged with the alleged kidnapping of a then-14-year-old Munson girl in April. Dixon is charged in a 2007 robbery, as well as a previous escape attempt.